The activities below are offered by a variety of organizations and their dedicated volunteers. All programs are FREE unless noted below. Programs led by IRC-Certified Volunteers require pre-registration, which closes at 4 p.m. on the day prior to the event. No walk-up registrations will be permitted for these events. For policies of other organizations, please use the sign-up information provided. For mobility device policies click here.
Note: Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for these events. For programs requiring online registration, each adult and child must be registered. |
Need help? For the fastest answers, look for organization-specific contact information in each event listing (click More Information for full listing). If no contact information is listed, email info@irconservancy.org for assistance.
Click here to learn more about IRC-Certified Volunteers. • Click here to learn more about the Difficulty Ratings.
Search & Filter Activities
Sunday, November 5, 2017
Native Plant Nursery at Quail Hill
Please join us at the Community Stewardship Native Plant Nursery located at the Quail Hill Trailhead in Irvine. This month, help us plant native species . We will be working along the Quail Hill Loop off of the trailhead parking lot. Your work at the nursery will help to enhance the native habitat – directly benefiting the local wildlife!
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-1 activity on the land.
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
Native Plant Nursery at Quail Hill
Please join us at the Community Stewardship Native Plant Nursery located at the Quail Hill Trailhead in Irvine. This month, help us plant native species . We will be working along the Quail Hill Loop off of the trailhead parking lot. Your work at the nursery will help to enhance the native habitat – directly benefiting the local wildlife!
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-1 activity on the land.
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
Science Summary: Photo Survey
Summary of Volunteer Only Hours for stewardship work performed.
Some post fire documentation photos.
Kilian Witzel: 5.0 hours
It’s Harvest Time! Collect Wildflower Seeds at the Native Seed Farm
Do a good deed and get a dose of Nature! Come experience the cool mornings and the spicy aromas of a California autumn while working with us at our one-of-a-kind Native Seed Farm in Irvine. Absolutely no experience or special equipment required.
You will be harvesting seeds from robust native fall wildflowers and bushes— things like California Buckwheat and our iconic Sagebrush.
Reviewing the 1-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this Level 1 activity.
Youth Action Team Stewardship at the Native Seed Farm
The Youth Action Team, an after school community-service based program throughout the City of Irvine regularly volunteers their time to steward the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. This week, middle school students will spend their afternoon helping out at the Native Seed Farm! Stewardship activities can include harvesting native seed, weeding, and planting. Please help lead this group and provide a wonderful experience they will never forget!
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-2 activity on the land.
Thursday, November 9, 2017
IRC Farm Steward Workday
IRC Farm Stewards are invited to help out at this “openhouse style” workday!
Our tasks and actual location are TBD, and they will be based on accomplishing the Farm’s top priority work for each specific week. Depending on the time of year we might be at the Farm doing planting, weeding, doing nursery things, or at the Extension center cleaning Farm & wild seed , or something else entirely new!
(Not a Farm Steward yet? To get started on becoming one, check out “Trainings” under the Activities category drop-down menu, and get signed up for the next quarterly Farm Intro Training!)
Native Plant Nursery at Augustine Staging Area
Please join us at the Native Plant Nursery located at the Augustine Staging Area. This is a unique opportunity to help propagate coastal sage scrub plant species. All work at the nursery is community-driven, and the plants grown will help to enhance the native habitat within Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve! This month, help us plant native California plant species. We will be working in close proximity to the parking area.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-1 activity on the land.
Saturday, November 11, 2017
Science Summary: Invasive Control – Agua Chinon
Summary of Volunteer Only Hours for stewardship work performed.
David Wilson: 11/16/2017 – 6.0 hours
Bob Huttar: 11/16/2017 – 5.5 hours
Sunday, November 12, 2017
Irvine Park Trail Restoration Day
Leave your park better than you found it! Join Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff during monthly habitat stewardship activities at Irvine Regional Park, aimed at keeping the park’s trails and habitat healthy. Identified in collaboration with the Park Rangers that patrol the trails everyday, stewardship projects can include planting to combat the effects of off-trail use, removing invasive plant species that threaten to crowd out the diversity of native plants, and more!
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land.
Native Plant Nursery at Augustine Staging Area
Please join us at the Native Plant Nursery located at the Augustine Staging Area. This is a unique opportunity to help propagate coastal sage scrub plant species. All work at the nursery is community-driven, and the plants grown will help to enhance the native habitat within Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve! This month, help us plant native California plant species. We will be working in close proximity to the parking area.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-1 activity on the land.
Monday, November 13, 2017
Science Summary: Limestone Canyon -Raptor Nest Data
Volunteer Only Hours for stewardship work performed.
Ross Gough: 8.0 hours
For the week of January 1 – 6, 2018
Science Summary: Limestone Point Count Data Analysis
Volunteer Only Hours for stewardship work performed.
Ross Gough: 12.0 hours
For the week of November 13th through 21st, 2017.
Saturday, November 18, 2017
It’s Harvest Time! Collect Wildflower Seeds at the Native Seed Farm
Do a good deed and get a dose of Nature! Come experience the cool mornings and the spicy aromas of a California autumn while working with us at our one-of-a-kind Native Seed Farm in Irvine. Absolutely no experience or special equipment required.
You will be harvesting seeds from robust native fall wildflowers and bushes— things like California Buckwheat and our iconic Sagebrush.
Reviewing the 1-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this Level 1 activity.
Sunday, November 19, 2017
CANCELLED due to Fire Weather: Santiago Oaks Stewardship
Leave your park better than you found it! Join Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff during monthly habitat stewardship activities at Santiago Oaks Regional Park, aimed at keeping the park’s habitat healthy. Identified in collaboration with the Park Rangers that patrol the trails everyday, stewardship projects can include planting to combat the effects of hiking, biking and riding off-trail, removing invasive plant species that threaten to crowd out the diversity of native plants, and more!
No previous experience is needed, however please note that we may be hiking up steep trails.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity on the land.
Monday, November 20, 2017
Habitat Enhancement Volunteer Support: Irvine Regional/Weir
Volunteer Stewards and Land Stewards are needed to help support a corporate group stewardship activity. We will be assembling tree tubes at Irvine Regional Park for a future oak planting project in the recent burn area of Weir Canyon. After assembling the tree tubes, volunteers will be transported via safari style trucks to Weir Canyon to discuss the burn area and the fire impact on the oak trees. No experience is necessary, and all tools and training will be provided.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land.
Tecate Cypress Stewardship
The Tecate Cypress is a rare species found only in southern California and northern Baja California. Unfortunately, the northern most population in the Santa Ana Mountains is in severe decline due to too-frequent wildfires. In effort to protect this rare species, locally genetic trees have been planted in Fremont Canyon, in close proximity to the staging area. Join us as we deeply water and weed around the young trees. Your work will ensure the newly-planted Tecate has all they need to thrive, and will directly help the effort to ensure the persistence of this unique forest community here in Orange County!
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-2 activity on the land.
Science Summary: Oak Leaves
Summary of Volunteer Only Hours for stewardship work performed.
David Wilson: 11/20/2017 – 2.0 hours (Collect Fallen Oak Leaves)
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
Waterworks Trail Restoration: Fremont Canyon
Please join IRC staff and volunteers as we plant native shrubs along the new Waterworks Trail in Fremont! Spend the afternoon working under an oak woodland and coastal sage habitat. Your work on the trail will help establish important habitat in Fremont for local wildlife.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-2 activity on the land.
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
It’s Harvest Time! Collect Wildflower Seeds at the Native Seed Farm
Do a good deed and get a dose of Nature! Come experience the cool mornings and the spicy aromas of a California autumn while working with us at our one-of-a-kind Native Seed Farm in Irvine. Absolutely no experience or special equipment required.
You will be harvesting seeds from robust native fall wildflowers and bushes— things like California Buckwheat and our iconic Sagebrush.
Reviewing the 1-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this Level 1 activity.
Restoring Habitat in Bommer Canyon
Birds and other wildlife need healthy habitat to thrive. Simple things like planting native plants can greatly improve habitat for wildlife. You can be part of that positive impact! All training, tools, and gloves will be provided to ensure your safety and comfort. Note that this activity is held on the 4th Wednesday of each month.
Please review the Difficulty Ratings before registering. Understanding the 1-through-5 ratings system will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land.